Finishing the Race

hosts shall be upon everyone that is proud and lofty, and upon everyone that is lifted up; and
he shall be brought low." "In that day a man shall cast the idols of his silver, and the idols of
his gold, which they made each one for himself to worship, to the moles and to the bats; to
go into the clefts of the rocks, and into the tops of the ragged rocks, for fear of the Lord, and
for the glory of His majesty, when He ariseth to shake terribly the earth." Isaiah 2:10-12, 20,
21, margin.
Through a rift in the clouds there beams a star whose brilliancy is increased fourfold in
contrast with the darkness. It speaks hope and joy to the faithful, but severity and wrath to
the transgressors of God's law. Those who have sacrificed all for Christ are now secure,
hidden as in the secret of the Lord's pavilion. They have been tested, and before the world
and the despisers of truth they have evinced their fidelity to Him who died for them. A
marvellous change has come over those who have held fast their integrity in the very face of
death. They have been suddenly delivered from the dark and terrible tyranny of men
transformed to demons. Their faces, so lately pale, anxious, and haggard, are now aglow
with wonder, faith, and love. Their voices rise in triumphant song: "God is our refuge and
strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be
removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though the waters
thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof." Psalm
46:1-3.
While these words of holy trust ascend to God, the clouds sweep back, and the starry
heavens are seen, unspeakably glorious in contrast with the black and angry firmament on
either side. The glory of the celestial city streams from the gates ajar. Then there appears
against the sky a hand holding two tables of stone folded together. Says the prophet: "The
heavens shall declare His righteousness: for God is judge Himself." Psalm 50:6. That holy
law, God's righteousness, that amid thunder and flame was proclaimed from Sinai as the
guide of life, is now revealed to men as the rule of judgment. The hand opens the tables, and
there are seen the precepts of the Decalogue, traced as with a pen of fire. The words are so
plain that all can read them. Memory is aroused, the darkness of superstition and heresy is
swept from every mind, and God's ten words, brief, comprehensive, and authoritative, are
presented to the view of all the inhabitants of the earth.
It is impossible to describe the horror and despair of those who have trampled upon
God's holy requirements. The Lord gave them His law; they might have compared their
characters with it and learned their defects while there was yet opportunity for repentance
and reform; but in order to secure the favour of the world, they set aside its precepts and
taught others to transgress. They have endeavoured to compel God's people to profane His
Sabbath. Now they are condemned by that law which they have despised. With awful
distinctness they see that they are without excuse. They chose whom they would serve and
worship. "Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between
him that serveth God and him that serveth Him not." Malachi 3:18.
399